Officers involved in deadly shooting

By The Associated Press

Two police officers have been involved in a deadly shooting in Paragould.

Police say the Police Department received a threatening phone call on Friday from a person at a mobile home park in Paragould.

Two officers responded shortly after they received the call. They have not been identified.

Police say a preliminary investigation indicates that when the officers arrived, a man confronted them with a knife, advanced toward them and refused their orders to drop the knife.

The man, identified as 45-year-old William Beasley, was shot and killed. Police say neither of the officers was injured.

Police say Beasley’s body has been sent to the state crime lab. Lt. Rick Dickinson of the Arkansas State Police says an investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

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quiet4us2 says...

STOP and or DROP the knife is a pretty clear order you moron. Good job Officers,glad your safe

November 7, 2009 at 6:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

JSanders says...

I guess it's too much to ask for them to shoot in the leg, hand, arm? Why do people advocate these thugs killing people? Are the cops that bad at shooting? Can they not hit in a non-vital area and still accomplish stopping the person? I'm sure there are circumstances we don't know about, but the idea that anyone who threatens the police can be KILLED is absolutely crazy. quite4us2 - I'd be willing to bet that you wouldn't feel the same if it was someone in your family. The police have a difficult job. Sure, I understand that. But this is taking someone's life. They seem to be a bit too quick to kill these days.

November 8, 2009 at 1 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

BK says...

JSanders,
it sounds logical to shoot in the hand or the leg, but the reality is shooting where you want while the suspect and you are moving is extremely difficult. It could cost an officer his life trying to preserve another, who is trying to harm you with a deadly weapon. Officers are trained to shoot in the chest, where the vital organs are, to immediately stop the threat. It is a fact that a person could stab you at twenty feet before you could unholster your weapon and fire a round off. It's unfortunate that an officer must shoot in the vital organ area, which could kill the suspect, but the officers didn't asked to be put in that situation. The victims are the officers, who were assaulted, and their families, because they are going to go through a lot of emotions on what had happened. I also feel sorry for the suspect's family for their loss. No won wins when an incident like this happens.

November 8, 2009 at 1:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

libertyforall says...

Duh, brought a knife to a gunfight????? One less in the gene pool.

November 8, 2009 at 2:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Ran2133 says...

Mr. Sanders, it is easy to criticize someone when you have not "walked in their shoes." Based on the article, it appears Mr. Beasley could have been committing "suicide by cop." I feel for his family and the officers and their families. I'm sure the officers didn't want this to happen.

November 8, 2009 at 11:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

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